2010: Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept

Cadillac could well be back on track to returning to its "Standard of the World" status after decades of struggle.

At an event held in their California design center, Cadillac displayed its new Urban Luxury Concept to show a new direction for the luxury manufacturer. The concept is untypical by Cadillac standards due to its diminutive size. At 151 inches in overall length the Concept is 40-inches shorter than the CTS but the wheel base is a mere 16-inches shorter. What this means is short overhangs for greater maneuverability and ease of parking but still plenty of interior space.

The size is not necessarily what Cadillac wants people to take away from this concept. They intend to redefine how people view luxury. Cadillac's lead designer Frank Saucedo explained that luxury has nothing to do with size. Luxury is defined by build quality and the selection of fine materials. In other words, Cadillac is now about quality not quantity.

The Urban Luxury Concept shown is powered by a 1-liter, three-cylinder hybrid drivetrain. Cadillac claims fuel economy of 56mpg in the city and 65mpg on the highway with the use of start/stop technology and brake energy regeneration.

Whether or not Cadillac will produce a small city car like this is still up in the air. What is clear, is that Cadillac is rethinking what defines a luxury manufacturer. They are also focused on what it takes to make a vehicle more efficient while not giving up the amenities Cadillac drivers expect. It may not be too long until we have a new Cadillac of environmentally friendly vehicles.

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